MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Scholars seek flood protection

A proposal to reduce the flood risk to the Turitea science campus will be put before Horizons Regional Council for consideration as part of its ten-year plan for the region.

Proposed development of the campus has led to discussion between Horizons, Massey University and other property owners surrounding the flood risk to the campus.

Horizons’ operations manager Allan Cook, said that reducing the flood risk would benefit the whole campus and may reduce the cost of the development.

“There would be very significant damage costs and social disruption arising from a major flood and there appears to be a good case for the Turitea area to have the same standard of protection as the main city,” said Mr Cook.

Chairman of Horizons’ catchment operations committee, Murray Guy, said Horizons would consider the project in their ten year plan but he could give no assurance that the project would proceed.

“Massey’s Turitea campus is an important facility for both Palmerston North and the wider region. As such, I expect there will be strong support for its protection.

“However, the proposal is subject to our long-term planning process and must be considered by the wider community.”

As part of their City Reach flood protection project, Horizons already has resource consent for 100 year protection from the Turitea stream but would need to seek a variation to this as the project would require 200 year protection.

Mr Guy said feedback from neighbouring property owners would be sought prior to a draft statement of proposal coming to council in October.

ENDS

© Scoop Media